Eight men and women are due to stand trial today accused of being involved in a people trafficking ring in Huddersfield.

All are charged with conspiracy to traffic persons into the UK for the purposes of exploitation.

The alleged offences took place between January 3, 2006 and April 2, 2012.

The group are alleged to have intended to exploit the people involved by subjecting them to force, threats or deception designed to induce them to provide their services in the fashion/tailoring and domestic service trade.

The eight are appearing at Leeds Crown Court.

The accused are: Raheela Bibi, 40, of Lockwood Road; Ahjaz Hussain, 33, of Victoria Road, Lockwood; Shahbaz Hussain, 38, of St Stephen’s Road, Lockwood; Muhammad Iqbal, 45, of Yews Mount, Lockwood; Shahnaz Iqbal, 52, of Kaffir Road in Edgerton; Mohammed Sarfraz, 34, of Victoria Road, Lockwood; Hajrah Sarfraz, 36, of Victoria Road, Lockwood; and Nisa Ulhaq, 38, of The Fairway in Fixby.

Ulhaq is further charged with facilitating the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non EU person.

The trial is expected to last several weeks.